Penn College student finds her calling in nondestructive testing

When she was a high school senior, nondestructive testing sounded like a fun, abstract concept to Elizabeth M. Tammaro. Two years later, NDT is her rewarding reality. The Pennsylvania College of Technology student has secured a full-time position in the field, several weeks prior to graduation.

Tammaro, set to receive an associate degree in NDT on May 17, will be joining Trident Maritime Systems’ custom alloy division in High Bridge, located about 20 minutes from her home in Milford, New Jersey. The global company specializes in fabrication, naval equipment production and precision engineering for maritime and defense projects.

“The job will be focused on what I have been doing for my degree,” Tammaro said. “NDT at Penn College is a good, well-rounded program. I’m just happy that I found it.”

She discovered NDT after first inspecting the welding program at Penn College. Welding at a summer camp sparked Tammaro’s interest in the field and prompted her to tour Penn College’s 55,000-square-foot lab during an Open House. While impressed with the facility, she decided a career in welding wasn’t for her.

“Then Mr. Nau (welding instructor Michael J. Nau) talked about NDT, and we ended up having a good conversation,” Tammaro recalled. “He got me to switch. NDT sounded fun. It’s in demand, and you’re not doing the physical work like in welding.”

Prior to that conversation, Tammaro hadn’t heard of NDT. “I had no idea, no clue,” she chuckled.

NDT encompasses noninvasive technologies that test the integrity of parts, components and assemblies integral for all aspects of society. The work of NDT professionals prevents injury and loss of life by ensuring that structures – from buildings to vessels – meet quality and safety requirements.

Penn College has offered NDT courses since the mid 1980s and began the two-year major in Fall 2022. Students receive practical experience in a variety of NDT processes: radiographic, ultrasonic, phased-array ultrasonic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant and visual inspection. Graduates earn essential classroom hours toward American Society of Non-Destructive Testing certification in both radiographic and ultrasonic testing, the two most common NDT procedures. ASNT certification is obtained following on-the-job training.

“The program has given us a real feel to what we are going to be exposed to in industry,” Tammaro said. “I like radiographic and phased-array UT the most.”

Radiographic NDT uses X-rays or gamma rays to reveal the internal makeup of material, and phased-array UT is an advanced technique that relies on an ultrasonic beam to do the testing.

Tammaro can’t specify what she’ll be inspecting at Trident Maritime Systems but is confident that she’ll employ several NDT methods learned at Penn College. The hands-on experience in the major – requiring four hours of lab for every hour of lecture – proved pivotal in securing the position.

The senior discovered the job opening via Indeed.com and was offered a full-time role shortly after her interview.

“I feel confident that they were highly impressed with Elizabeth’s preparedness for the interview, the extensive NDT knowledge she demonstrated, her enthusiasm and professional composure,” said Mark N. Hurd, instructor of NDT and welding. “Elizabeth is, without a doubt, the model student that every teacher wants in their classroom. She is enthusiastic and very passionate about quality and NDT.”

“I am very proud of Elizabeth. She was not sure what Trident would ask her, but she wowed them in the interview with knowledge from her NDT classes,” Nau said.

A first-generation college student, Tammaro was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for students in two-year majors. She’s also a trailblazer of sorts, being one of just two women enrolled in the NDT major.

“At first, it was a little weird, but you just get used to it,” Tammaro said. “You make friends with the guys. They’re just normal people. They treat you the same.”

Prior to Penn College, she spent years as “the only girl,” accompanying her younger brother to his various activities with the Boy Scouts of America (known today as Scouting America). “I was too young to stay home alone, so I was kind of dragged along into it,” Tammaro laughed.

In 2019, girls became eligible to seek the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. Encouraged by her parents, Tammaro became the first from her area in New Jersey to take advantage of that policy change. “If you’re going to be in Scouts, you might as well go all the way,” she said.

Tammaro obtained her Eagle Scout by installing drop boxes (two in Westfield and one in Holland) to facilitate the collection and disposal of worn American flags. Residents put their old flags in the boxes, and once the boxes are filled, the flags are removed and given to Scouting America troops or other organizations for proper retirement, usually by burning the flags in a respectful manner.

“During Spring Break, I was back home at an event, and someone came up to me and actually thanked me for the boxes,” Tammaro said. “That put my project in perspective.”

Currently, her brother is responsible for collecting the flags from the boxes monthly. Tammaro will assume that duty when she moves back to New Jersey and begins her NDT position at Trident Maritime Systems.

Hurd hopes more women follow Tammaro’s lead and consider NDT careers.

“Inherently, women have the ability to process details and challenges at a higher level,” he said. “This is a quality that separates the exceptional inspector from the good inspector.”

“Companies have indicated to me that they like women inspectors because of their attention to detail,” Nau added.

That’s a reality that Tammaro was smart to embrace.

“Elizabeth has the attributes required to excel in the NDT field,” Hurd said. “She is very detail oriented and has excellent communication skills. This, coupled with the knowledge she has acquired during her time on campus, will no doubt set her up in the best way possible for the NDT career she is about to embark on.”

To learn more about NDT and other degrees offered by Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222 for more information.